Thread by @amhistorymuseum

Hi. Can we talk about a heroic pigeon who did something cool 100 years ago today?

World War I, October 1918. Forest of Argonne in France. Under heavy fire, cut off by the enemy, and desperate for rescue, the men of what became known as the #LostBattalion have only two homing pigeons left.

By October 3, 1918, German forces surround them. For days, they dig in and fight off repeated enemy attacks. #LostBattalion

On the afternoon of October 4, 1918, American artillery inadvertently begins falling on the men of the #LostBattalion. They take what cover they can. Major Whittlesey calls for a homing pigeon to relay a message to stop the bombardment.

Private Omer Richards does his best. But in the confusion, one of the two remaining homing pigeons escapes. The only one left is Cher Ami, a British homing pigeon whose name means "Dear Friend" in French. #LostBattalion

Richards clips a message in a small container to Cher Ami's left leg. "We are along the road parallel 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven's sake stop it." #LostBattalion

https://twitter.com/TodaysDocument/status/1047833806026285058

And Cher Ami heroically flies off... NOPE. Cher Ami flies to a nearby tree and has a sit. Won't budge. Richards finally climbs Cher Ami’s tree, shaking the limbs until the bird takes flight. #LostBattalion

An hour later, Cher Ami arrives bearing the scars of battle and the last communication from Whittlesey and his men. Despite loss of a leg and a bullet through the breast, little Cher Ami's message is received. The shelling stops. #LostBattalion

After the Armistice ending World War I, Cher Ami arrived in the United States as a hero pigeon on April 16, 1919, but succumbed to battle wounds on June 13. Visit Cher Ami in our "Price of Freedom: Americans at War" exhibition. #LostBattalion

Cher Ami was one of many animals to serve in World War I: s.si.edu/ww1-animals

What about the humans of the #LostBattalion? We have the medals of Captain George G. McMurtry, a former Rough Rider and millionaire Wall Street lawyer. He was in command of the second battalion of the 308th Infantry Regiment. For his leadership and valor, he received many honors.

McMurtry received the Medal of Honor. Allied governments also honored the men with the French Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre and the Order of Prince Danilo I from Montenegro. Here are McMurtry's medals, which also include his Spanish War Service Medal. #LostBattalion

The amazing folks at @NatlArmyMuseum are live tweeting the story of the #LostBattalion. Follow along!

https://twitter.com/NatlArmyMuseum/status/1045070516057526272

Thanks for listening to our story about Cher Ami and the #LostBattalion. #WorldAnimalDay #WorldWar1 #ww1stories